BARK

Adoption

Why Adopt an Older Dog?

(Adapted from North Texas Basset Rescue, Inc.; original article was written by Labrador Retriever Rescue, Inc.)

10) Less Time for Housebreaking.

Are you away from home for 8 hours or more at a time? An adult dog can “hold it” much more reliably for longer time periods, and often they have already been in a home once before. Puppies need a consistent schedule with frequent potty breaks. They can’t wait for the boss to finish his meeting or the kids to come home from after school activities.

9) Intact Underwear.

Many adult dogs can have the run of the house without destroying it. Puppies need to chew when their new teeth come in. You can count on losing at least 10 individual socks, several shoes, your children’s toys — and you may even end up with holes in the carpet (along with the urine stains).

8) A Good Night’s Sleep.

An adult dog likes a good night’s sleep as much as you do. Puppies will cry out for their litter mates at all hours of the night. If you have children, you’ve been there and done that. How about a little peace and quiet? How about an adult dog?

7) Finish the Newspaper.

No need to line that crate or floor with newspaper. Your adult dog will be sitting calmly next to you while your workday stress flows away and your blood pressure lowers as you pet him. Only the kids will be running amok — unless you have a puppy. A puppy needs to be monitored constantly in order to learn the manners s/he needs to be a good house pet. If you like to relax and read, please consider adopting an adult dog.

6) Easier Vet Trips.

Your adult dog is current on vaccinations and already spayed/neutered. Your adoption fee covered all that at BARK. A puppy may need additional trips to the vet to complete a series of puppy shots and fecal checks, then their rabies shot, and maybe an emergency trip or two if something dangerous gets chewed!

5) What You See Is What You Get.

When adopting an adult dog from BARK, things only get better once you get home and your dog starts to settle in and feel safe and loved. You’ve picked what you wanted — large or small; active or couch potato; goofy or brilliant; sweet or sassy. With a puppy you can’t be sure how the pup’s personality is going to develop, or how large that puppy might grow.

4) Unscarred Children (and Adults).

Most adult dogs have “been there & done that” with regards to teething & mouthing on people. When a puppy isn't teething on your possessions, he will be teething on your children and you. Teething is not aggressive biting, but to humans it sometimes feels the same. A growing puppy is going to put everything from food to clothes to hands in its mouth. If you’d prefer not to go through the teething stage, an adult dog may be the best match for you and your household.

3) Matchmaker Make Me a Match.

An adult dog’s personality is well on its way to being formed. When you meet an adult dog you can usually tell how affectionate, athletic, easy-going, inquisitive or patient that may be. If you adopt a mature dog, the personality you saw on adoption day typically just keeps getting better and better as the dog feels more secure and loved. “Puppy love” is often no more than an attachment to a look or a color. While a puppy may be really cute, s/he may grow up to be super-active when what you wanted was a couch buddy — or a couch princess when what you wanted was a tireless hiking companion — he may want to spend every waking moment in the water while you're a landlubber — or she may want to be an only child while you are intending to have kids or more animals.

2) Instant Companion.

With an adult dog, you automatically have a buddy that can go everywhere and do everything with you NOW. There’s no waiting for a puppy to grow up. You will have been able to select the most compatible dog: one that travels well; one that loves to play with your friends’ dogs. You can come home after a long day’s work and spend your time on a relaxing walk, ride or swim with your new best friend (rather than cleaning up after a small puppy.)

1) Bond — Rescue Dog Bond.

An adult dog in a rescue has either been uprooted from their happy homes or not had the best start in life. These dogs are more likely to bond completely and deeply with a family who shows them love and gives them a home. Dogs who have lost their families through death, divorce or lifestyle change go through a terrible mourning process. But once attached to a new loving family, they seem to want to please as much as possible to make sure they are never homeless again. Dogs who have known life on the streets or at the end of a chain will revel and blossom in a nurturing, loving environment. Most rescue dogs make exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets and extremely loyal companions.